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Hello, I had a writing-based question I hope you would be able to answer. I’m writing a book in which I feature several characters from the public domain. The setting will not be the original setting that any of the characters are from. I want … read more »
In this final week of Spook Month, it’s time to talk about our favorite spooky stories. Gather round the fire and don’t let your eyes stray to what moves in the shadows, lest you become its next victim. Listen as we describe stories where nature … read more »
A lot of things can go wrong with a story’s beginning, and one of the most common problems is that it’s just boring. Instead of grabbing readers, the beginning slowly meanders around waiting for the story to start. Even if the narrative picks up later, … read more »
One of the most common ways storytellers sabotage their stories is by working toward a clever reveal instead of giving their stories a solid foundation. Even when this problem is pointed out in a manuscript, it’s difficult to get writers to change it. They want … read more »
Bethany stared at the vacant eyes of her grimy reflection. The windows of her foster home were dark; the shared house key had been taken. While she shivered in her greasy apron and jacket, her classmates were probably piling into their limos. In moments they’d be circling the dance floor, while she was exiled from her own bedroom. Read more »
What are ways of making an evil organization seem good at first? The protagonist of my story starts on the evil side, because she’s been manipulated into it, but I don’t want my readers to know that right away. She doesn’t commit any atrocities in … read more »
Halloween approaches – time for spooks! What’s really spooky? A monster. And what’s spookier than a conventional monster? An unconventional monster! That’s why today we’re talking about all the great monsters out there that break the mold and scare us in brand new ways. Okay … read more »
Classes have been a key part of Dungeons and Dragons since 1st Edition all the way back in 1974, when players could choose between fighter, wizard, and cleric.* Over the intervening 45 years, the class system has been changed a multitude of times, but at … read more »
Every member of Team Good should help save the day. But the larger your ensemble cast is, the trickier it can be to make sure everyone is contributing. When a protagonist doesn’t pull their weight, they end up feeling superfluous at best and annoying at … read more »
Beware of storytellers who use stories to wax poetic about stories. Read more »